December is New York’s busiest month for live music. Churches, concert halls and arenas fill with carols, oratorios, pop stars and gospel choirs. Here’s a guide to the best Christmas concerts of 2026, with confirmed dates.
Key 2026 Dates
| Messiah — Trinity Church | Dec 2–4 |
|---|---|
| Messiah — New York Philharmonic | Dec 9–13 |
| iHeartRadio Jingle Ball — MSG | Dec 11 |
| Britten’s Ceremony of Carols — Trinity Church | Dec 13 |
| New York Pops “Sleigh Bells Ring” — Carnegie Hall | Dec 18–19 |
| Holiday Sing-Along — Trinity Church | Dec 19 |
| Trans-Siberian Orchestra — Prudential Center, Newark | Dec 26 |
Classical and Choral
- Handel’s Messiah — Trinity Church, the New York Philharmonic and the Oratorio Society at Carnegie Hall.
- Trinity Church’s December series — Advent concert, Britten, a public sing-along and candlelit Compline.
- Church concerts: St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue’s choir of men and boys, St. Bartholomew’s, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine all host December concerts and carol services; check each church’s calendar.
- Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration — a long-running music-and-dance celebration around the solstice; check the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and paulwinter.com for 2026.
Pops and Broadway
- The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall — Dec 18–19 with Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez.
- Candlelight: Christmas Classics — candlelit string-quartet concerts of holiday favorites at various venues in December.
Pop and Rock
- iHeartRadio Jingle Ball — Madison Square Garden, Dec 11.
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra — Prudential Center, Newark, Dec 26.
Gospel
Harlem’s churches are famous for gospel music, and many host Christmas concerts and services open to visitors. Sunday services are not performances, so be respectful, dress modestly and stay for the whole service. See Harlem Holiday Lights for an uptown holiday evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I hear Christmas music in NYC for free?
Trinity Church’s community events, church carol services, the Washington Square Christmas Eve carol sing and many tree lightings offer free holiday music.
When is the best Messiah in NYC?
Trinity Church’s period-instrument Messiah (Dec 2–4, 2026) is widely considered the city’s best.
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